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9 beautiful hotels and homestays in Ooty

By Ria Gupta

Udhagamandalam, popularly known as Ooty, has made a mark on many travel calendars for decades now. And why not? Its hills with bright green tea estates, wild waterfalls, botanical gardens, breathtaking views of the valley, and the underlying colonial charm of it all are enough to beckon travellers. Even the hotels and villas in this Tamil Nadu hill town camouflage with its natural beauty to let you take in the raw charm of the Nilgiris. Here are nine beautiful hotels, homestays and villas to book in Ooty.

What is the best time to visit Ooty?

The best time to visit Ooty is from October to March, which is also the peak season for tourists. During these months, expect delightful weather with sunny days and refreshing cool evenings. With temperatures typically ranging from 11°C to 22°C, the weather is ideal for outdoor adventures and sightseeing. Head to scenic viewpoints such as Dolphin’s Nose and Ketti Valley Viewpoint or iconic landmarks like the Arboretum tree garden, Elk Hill Murugan Temple, stroll through the Government Botanical Garden and take a scenic ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. From April to May, Ooty experiences scattered showers that turn the hills a lush green. Despite the rain, the weather remains pleasant, with temperatures typically ranging from 13°C to 25°C. A major highlight during this time is the annual flower show at the Government Botanical Garden, which features a display of over 16,000 varieties of flowers from around the world. Find out more about the best time to visit Ooty here .

The Kelso House

Built 200-odd years ago by a British Colonel by the name of Kelso, Kelso House now belongs to hosts Jan Mohammed Sait and Numaira Jan Mohammed Sait. The house is situated on a hill about 800m from the main town in Ooty, so you can enjoy seclusion without the inconvenience of being too remote. There are 16 rooms spread across two sections and 1.5 acres, along with large lawns to stroll through and a common library with a fireplace to lounge by on cold evenings. An in-house chef prepares all meals on the property—breakfast and tea, coffee and beverages throughout the day are complimentary. Meals include a mix of North Indian and South Indian classics—the butter chicken and dal makhani are highly recommended by the family. The menu changes daily based on availability of produce. All meals are served in the common dining areas. There’s no in-room dining and the homestay has a strict no-alcohol policy. The hosts can arrange bonfires, barbecues and romantic candlelit dinners on the lawn, treks and cycling tours to the outskirts of Ooty, and picnics on a nearby hill. Doubles from Rs11,000*; website

Accord Highland Ooty

Done up in polished wood, this property stands in an elegant contrast to the green Nilgiris surrounding it. All 64 rooms of the property look out to endless mountain views. Families can opt for the two-bedroom family suite, while couples might find joy in the Highland villa with a massive skylight right above the bed. Meanwhile, the kids can go wild at the Fun Zone with indoor and outdoor games and ATV rides. The property features a quaint little tea stall for those quintessential Ooty feels–sip on some tea and relish butter biscuits while you watch the sun set on the horizon. Its multi-cuisine restaurant, Season, has some 300 dishes on the menu for lunch, while breakfast and dinner are served as buffets.  Doubles from Rs6,800*; website Wheelchair Access : Not available

Fortune Resort Sullivan Court, Ooty

Only 2km from the Ooty railway station, this 67-key property is the perfect pad to experience the town’s tea culture from. Tea tastings happen every day at 5pm and the team also arranges guided tea trails. You can enjoy bonfires in the lawn during peak season when a chill takes over the hill station. A jogging track snakes through the outdoor area, which has a great open space for kids to frolic, with swings and some indoor games as well. Dine at its multi-cuisine restaurant, Pavilion, or avail the 24*7 room service and end with a nightcap in the cosy ambience of Selbourrne's Bar. You can let them know of any dietary preferences, and the team will happily accommodate. Doubles from Rs13,610*; website Wheelchair Access : Available

King’s Cliff

This hotel, once the home of Lady Maybn and Lord Reginald, commands a lovely view of the Blue Mountains. Fitting of a British-era mansion, every room is warmed by a fireplace and populated with polished wooden furnishings. And you can visit here with your pooches, for there are three garden-facing rooms that are pet-friendly. Earl’s Secret, the property’s dining space, is a glasshouse surrounded by shrubbery. When you’re waiting for your order, consider asking around what the ‘secret’ is all about.  Doubles from Rs4,000*; additional Rs600* for a pet with meals; website Wheelchair Access : Not available

Milton Abbott Estate

The forestial beauty of Udhagamandalam creeps into the premises of this heritage bungalow. Right from the parking area to the front lawns, every corner of the estate is covered in greenery. Beyond the house, there’s a 4.5-acre forest with a trail for long hikes. You can pick from four bedrooms across two suites and two family rooms. Meals are available on the property, but you’re expected to share any preferences beforehand.  Doubles from Rs4,765*; book via Saffronstays Wheelchair Access : Not available

Savoy - IHCL SeleQtions, Ooty

This property is great for those who don’t wish to step out of the comfort of their hotel. Apart from the tea estate, you can walk amid the 150 varieties of flowers, pine trees, and clipped lawns. Meanwhile, the enthusiastic will be spoiled for choice with activities. Spend afternoons croquêting while the little ones indulge in the soft toy room, enjoy a pony ride or feed ducks and rabbits. To amp up the romantic trance, engage in a letter-writing workshop and end the day by the common bonfire. Those with pooches can rest assured, for the hotel serves pet menus with dishes like rice and lentil or chicken kedgeree, and has a pet play area kitted out with toys, mats, and pet bowls. Meals are an adventure of their own, with local delicacies of the Badaga tribe such as avarai udhakka, a preparation of local beans and potatoes, belle benguve, a tomato and garlic preparation of aubergines.  Doubles from Rs17,000*; website Wheelchair Access : Available

Taurus Homestay, Kotagiri

Arundhati Ail , Condé Nast Traveller India

Condé Nast Traveller , Condé Nast Traveller India

Geetika Sachdev , Condé Nast Traveller India

This homestay sits in a coffee plantation in Kotagiri about an hour away from the Ooty railway station. While most tourist attractions are a bit of a drive from here, the property itself is a great escape from city life. Its three rooms are frequented by chirping birds. While two are in a stone cottage with an all-glass dining area, the third is in a separate unit. Step out and you might spot a barking deer, mouse deer, porcupines, wild boars, and even a bison, if you’re lucky. You can ask the staff to arrange for an estate trail and spend evenings by the cobbled bonfire pit. Rajin Kuttappa, the host, will take you through the property’s forest while his wife, Reshma, will whip up a homely breakfast. Add to that a good, stable WiFi connection, and you’ve got the ideal workation venue.  Entire place from Rs14,000* with breakfast; book via airbnb Wheelchair Access : Not available

Those looking for something more modernistic will find it here. At its cliffside perch, this four-bedroom villa boasts ample breathing room inside. The sprawling rooms are a combination of wooden flooring and whitewashed walls. And their large French windows overlooking the valley give the illusion of a space that extends to infinite lengths. You can book the entire property, or choose to cosy up in a single room. Either way, you can enjoy a host of activities like live barbeques and bonfires. You can spend days indoors, curled up with a book, or connect with family and friends over a game of badminton outside. The property is part of a gated society about 4km from the railway station. Those driving in will appreciate the parking space, big enough to accommodate five cars.  Entire place from Rs30,400*; book via Stayvista Wheelchair Access : Available

WelcomHeritage Ayatana

The newest entrant on the block, WelcomHeritage Ayatana opened its doors this year as a 20-acre sanctuary of natural beauty. Take your pick from its 30 rooms where you can soothe your eyes with views of wild greenery of the surrounding tea estates. Pooches (no more than two) are welcome to stay with you as long as they’re leashed outside the room. There’s a pool on the property, and the in-house restaurant, Tycoons, features huge windows to let nature in even while dining. Chomp on any of the multiple cuisines, and let the team know about any vegan or Jain preferences. Doubles from Rs21,527*; Rs3,500* per pet per night; website Wheelchair Access : Available

*Prices are subject to change.

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The first-time traveller's guide to Ooty: Where to stay, eat and what to do in this beautiful hill station in Tamil Nadu

By Saumyaa Vohra

There’s a calm about hill stations that ebbs over the years; crowds thicken, and the local culture simply must respond by adding more and more metropolitan elements to an otherwise laid-back, sleepy hilltop town. The miracle of Ooty (short for ‘Udhagamandalam’) in Tamil Nadu is that it has managed to preserve that precious sleepiness, while still not being devoid of a quality experience. The beautiful Southern hills have an old-world charm that is near-impossible to come upon in 2022, and still enough quaint cafes, nature-centric activities, and world-class chocolateries to put a firm fence between quiet and ‘boring’...

Savoy, Ooty-IHCL SeleQtions

There’s really only one decision to make when you’re choosing a place to set up base in Ooty; are you after a hotel with your creature comforts, or is a cute BnB with the character more your vibe? If you answered with the former, you’ll like the Savoy, Ooty-IHCL SeleQtions , a heritage hotel that’s been a landmark in the cloud-covered hills of Ooty since 1829. You’ll find yourself surrounded by flora (over 150 kinds) at the 40 key hotel, which has lovely cottages beside the Nilgiris tea estates and a lovely colonial-style restaurant perfect for evenings that you don’t want to step out for a meal. Sterling Ooty Elk Hill is a good four-star second choice, set at 7,349 feet above sea level; ergo arresting views and–bonus–a fabulous pool. However, if the latter seems a better fit, there’s no dearth of great AirBnBs you can check out; try looking specifically for StayVista at The Berg (2BR w/ Bkfst and Valley View) which is a stunning space that can house six guests, or the Stayvista@Lilly Premium 4BHK Villa if you’re looking for a modern, art deco space instead.

Earl’s Secret 

Begin, as one should, with a breakfast of champion; and of piping hot dosas and fluffy idlis at The Garden Restaurant in Charing Cross. Lunch places are aplenty; you could do Curry and Rice in Fern Hill if you’re feeling like some Armenian food, or Hyderabad Biryani House in Elk Hill if you’re craving some spicy rice and tender mutton. Choose from its myriad cafes from your 5 pm java; Earl’s Secret in Marlimund is a stunning glass house that makes for gorgeous pictures to go with its gorgeous Scotch Eggs and Pasta Primavera, while Ooty Coffee House is old-school, with a filter coffee that will sire refills. There’s also Nahar's Sidewalk Cafe , if truly quaint and old-world Ooty with a touch of yesteryear warmth–and woodfired pizza–is what you’re after. If Chinese sounds good for dinner, head to Shinkows for some Chopsuey and Chilli Buff, or try Ascot Multi-Cuisine Restaurant for a sit-down meal of hot-off-the-grill barbecue. End the night by nipping into Kingstar Confectionery for a boxful of those famous Ooty chocolates; and one for the road, of course.

Moddy’s Chocolates

Sure, you can get a lot of lovely handicrafts, clothes and decor in Ooty; but you’d be remiss if you didn’t segment a good part of your day for some chocolate shopping. The handmade chocolates in Ooty are exquisite; easily our answer to Flanders or Glarus (the homes of Callebaut and Läderach respectively). Stop by the famous Moddy’s Chocolates for their Irish Cream truffles and Raspberry BonBons, or M&N Chocolate Museum for some exquisite bean-to-bar. If it's a market you’re after, Lower Bazaar Road is great for quality fabrics, while Tibetan Market is souvenir central; piled high with stunning shawls and avant-garde handicrafts. Chamraj Tea Shop and Doddabetta Tea Factory Souvenir Shoppe both bode well if you’d like to pick up some of the estate’s finest to brew back home. But any book lover must make the Ooty Higginbothams a high-priority stop; the beautiful Victorian-style bookstore is packed with all the popular and rare(r) books your heart could desire.

Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train

By Karishma Shetty

By Gaurav Sonavane

There’s a good chance your agenda entails nothing more than weekending with great books and fresh-off-the-stove chai. However, if you tend to run active on vacations, the sweet little town has enough excursions in keeping with its storybook setting that make for a lovely afternoon. Start with a ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train , a 46 km journey through a UNESCO World Heritage Site replete with luxuriant emerald forests enveloping you throughout. People drawn to water will enjoy both the Pykara Waterfall and the Pykara lake , with summer speedboat rides that will warrant pictures in a vacation scrapbook. You might dub this an off-brand Tussauds, but The Wax World Museum , set in a 130 year old Colonial Mansion, is actually an Indian history edit that’s quite interesting. Stop by the ​​bamboo Toda Huts , where the local tribes of Ooty live, and end with a detour to Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint , situated 1550 metres above sea level for unfettered views of the tea plantations.

Closest Airport: Coimbatore

How to get there: Drive from Coimbatore airport (88 kilometres away)

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Reconnect with nature at Conde Nast Traveller rated top 10 plantation stays

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Overview of Reconnect with nature at Conde Nast Traveller rated top 10 plantation stays

Popular amenities.

• Breakfast included Breakfast included Breakfast included

Explore the area

• Popular Location Ooty Lake 39 min drive
• Popular Location Ooty Rose Garden 40 min drive
• Popular Location Doddabetta Peak 48 min drive

Rooms & beds

7 bedrooms (sleeps 16), 7 bathrooms, about this property, property manager.

Hospitality Expert ROYSTON: BBQ, Bonfire & Chef

Sree Harshav Cottage, Kodamala

Private bedrooms with attached bathroom,Coonoor

Luxe Family Villa - Tea Estate and Forest Hill View from the Balcony!

NORSUSTAY a villa with a view of Ooty valley, Pet Friendly

Rose Garden Enclave for Families and executives ooty

MEETING JOINT AT OOTY

Norsu Cabin

Lynfields leisure

Luxurious Stay at Vachi's Belvedere, a lavish 4BHK retreat nestled in Ooty

House rules, damage and incidentals, important information, you need to know, we should mention, about the neighborhood.

What's nearby

• Wellington Gymkhana Club Golf Course - 35 min drive
• Ooty Lake - 39 min drive
• Ooty Rose Garden - 40 min drive
• Government Botanical Gardens - 42 min drive
• Doddabetta Peak - 48 min drive

Getting around

• Kateri Station - 27 min drive

Restaurants

• Chamraj Tea Center - 23 min drive
• Amutha Surabhi - 20 min drive
• Ganesh Tea Stall - 19 min drive
• Tea Factory - 27 min drive
• Udhayam Unavagham - 20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

As of Apr 29, 2024, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Reconnect with nature at Conde Nast Traveller rated top 10 plantation stays on Apr 30, 2024 start from $87.45, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Situated in the mountains, this cottage is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Nilgiri Hills and within 20 mi (32 km) of Laws Falls and Sim's Park. Pasteur Institute and Sri Mariamman Temple are also within 20 mi (32 km).

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